Incumbent, two newcomers win seats on Edison Board of Training
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BIRAL PATEL
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DOUG SCHNEIDER
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BRIAN-RIVERA
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BIRAL PATEL
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DOUG SCHNEIDER
3/3
BRIAN-RIVERA
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EDISON – The Edison Board of Education will reorganize itself in January with candidates for the Building Brighter Futures ticket.
The predicted winners of the November 2nd election remain as the election results were recently confirmed.
First term Biral Patel led with 7,501 votes, Douglas Schneider followed with 7,359 votes and Brian Rivera with 6,732 votes beat six other candidates for the three three-year terms of the Edison Board of Education (BOE).
David Tingle followed with 4,886 votes, Padmaja (Paddy) Chinta received 4,839 votes, Elizabeth Conway aspiring to her second term received 4,619 votes, Vimal Parikh received 4,372 votes, Gabriel Haller received 3,120 votes and former board member Ralph Errico received 2,546 votes.
There were 119 write-in votes.
Before the election, the candidates communicated what they would like to focus on in the event of an election.
In “these challenging” times, getting schools back up and running safely is an important issue, Rivera said.
“COVID-19 created a” huge “” disruption “to” learning “,” he said. “Priority for this coming year should be the students and staff returning to a safe and positive learning environment so that our children can continue to grow academically and emotionally. We need to fill in any learning losses or gaps that some of our students have encountered due to COVID-19. A plan needs to be developed by our district to assess and narrow students that gap willstehen understand our students. We must also address the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic trauma, which lead to interruptions in the life of some of their students, leading to increased students. We must continue to support the social, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing of our students, staff, and parents.
All good solutions require collaboration, said Patel.
“I want to change the focus of the board and make it a more collaborative institution,” he said. “I want to build a strong, mutually respectful relationship between BOE and all stakeholders, working with the administration, students, educators, staff and parents to ensure transparency and a thriving environment, something I started right after joining BOE . “
Patel said he wants to ensure the participation of all residents and work with the administration to promptly resolve any outstanding issues and ensure the school district is successful in terms of transportation, enrollment, meals, academic opportunities, and special education.
In order for students to reach their maximum potential, it is important to have both short- and long-term infrastructure plans to address overcrowding and pandemic-related facilities issues, Schneider said.
“A multi-phased approach to any capital improvement project is key,” he said. “We need solutions now, and these solutions still have to fit our longer-term goals. The right infrastructure allows for less crowds, a healthier environment and the opportunity for students to learn. We could offer more advanced placement (AP) courses and honors curriculum while we continue to focus on our reluctant learners. I am confident that all of these goals can be achieved without adding a tax burden to Edison residents. “
Board member Shivi Prasad-Madhukar did not want to be re-elected.
